The Benevolent Live Long
The Benevolent Live Long
Confucian founders Confucius and Mencius offered many views on health preservation, but they all center on cultivating the mind, which must begin from daily practice—specifically, nurturing virtue. In *The Analects of Confucius: Yongye*, Confucius proposed "The benevolent live long." What does "benevolent" mean? Confucius explained: "The benevolent love others." This means treating others with generosity and broad-mindedness, possessing noble moral character. "Great virtue inevitably brings longevity," Confucius stated more explicitly in *The Doctrine of the Mean*.
We often see elderly people who live long lives due to great virtue. Though their hair is white, their complexion remains rosy, and their spirits remain vigorous. This is because they command high respect, live peacefully, act with integrity, possess broad-minded personalities, and maintain inner tranquility. "With no selfish thoughts, the heart is vast and open." Because they lack selfishness, their minds remain calm and peaceful; because they treat others generously, they avoid jealousy and envy, thus remaining composed at all times. If one consistently maintains a calm and composed state, the "master" (mind) becomes clear and upright—this is the core of cultivating the mind.
Comrade Deng Xiaoping, despite suffering three major political setbacks, lived to be 93. This was closely tied to his deep love for the country and people, his lofty character, and his broad-mindedness that placed personal gain and loss aside. His "Three Favors" principle exemplifies virtue benefiting China and its people. Historically, tyrants lacking benevolence and morality generally did not live long—there is even a saying: "Many famous physicians live long, but emperors die young." Those with great virtue possess broad horizons, noble principles, abstain from greed and lust, pursue lofty ideals, love friends, comrades, and the people, treat others generously, and remain confident and self-respecting under any circumstances, never forgetting the welfare of all beings—this is a crucial factor in longevity.
Mengzi proposed: "Calm the heart—reduce desires—gather the mind"—ultimately achieving the cultivation of "great righteous energy." The colorful, dazzling world abounds with temptations—money, power, etc.—which may stir the heart and mind, leading to relentless pursuit. Mengzi's "calm the heart" means eliminating external distractions, resisting external temptations, remaining neither elated by small gains nor distressed by minor losses—thus preserving inner stillness.
Confucianism, with Confucius as its founder, emphasizes the relationship between moral cultivation and longevity in health preservation. *The Book of Rites: The Doctrine of the Mean* says: "Great virtue inevitably brings longevity." It integrates health preservation with active engagement in life. *The Book of Changes: Qian Image* states: "Heaven moves vigorously; thus, the gentleman ceaselessly strives for self-improvement." This suggests one should constantly advance to prolong life—movement is inherently included. Confucianism regards archery, music, zither, and dance as methods to delight the emotions, nourish feelings, cultivate temperament, and strengthen the body. Following sages' teachings, it advocates avoiding lust, conflict, and greed, always prioritizing health preservation.
Dong Zhongshu, a representative figure of Confucianism in the Western Han Dynasty, wrote in *Chunqiu Fanlu*: "Benefit nourishes the body, righteousness nourishes the mind." "Follow the way of nature to nourish the body." Dong used material things ("benefit") to nourish the physical form, spiritual values ("righteousness") to nurture the mind, and the theory of adapting to natural climatic changes—profoundly inspiring later generations in health preservation.
Su Dongpo, a scholar of the Song Dynasty, said: "After illness, finding leisure is not bad; peace of mind is the best remedy." This means there is no magic cure after illness; the true remedy is "peaceful mind" and rest. In today’s market economy, those suffering from occupational stress, professional burnout, jealousy, or envy-related ailments especially need to learn skills in cultivating the mind and refining character—this benefits both career success and mental and physical health, aiding in disease prevention and longevity.